Auxiliary apparatus for vapor-converters.



E. E. EBY.

AUXILIARY APPARATUS FOR VAPOR CONVERTERS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-6,1915. RENEWED OCT. 21. 1916.

1,%6,067. Patented May15,1917.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR Zar/ L. Eby.

ATTORNEY EARL E. EIBY, OF WILKINSIBURG, PENNSYL vrmm, Assfenon 1'0 'wn'sr'menousn ELEG- ENT or on.

AUX ILIARY APPARATUS FOR VAPOR-CONVERTERS.

Application filed November 6,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EARL E. EBY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Wilkinsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Auxiliary Apparatus for Vapor Converters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to vapor converters, and it has for its object to provide simple and effective apparatus whereby both the control of a keep-alive are within the container and the How of gas through an exhaust tube therefor may be effected.

The single figure of the accompanying drawing is a side view, partially in section and partially in elevation, of a vapor converter of the metal-case type, together with associated apparatus, embodying a preferred form ofv my invent on.

In a copending application of E. E. Rose, Serial No. 61,085, filed Nov. 12, 1915, and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, is disclosed an electrically operated valve for the control of the exhausting line between a closed container and a pump, said valve embodying a "pool of fusible sealing material, such, for

example, as solder. In'a copending application of S. W. Farnsworth and O. W. Schuster, Serial No. 816,847, filed Feb. 5, 1914, and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, is disclosed an.

automatic keep-alive are embodying a movable electrode withln the container and an actuating solenoid therefor exterior to-the container.

By my invention, I combine the structures of both of the above-mentioned applications and, by suitable modification, provide a resultant structure wherein bothfunctions are performed in a suitable manner with the use of but a single actuating solenoid and of a single seal through the wall of the contamer.

Referring to the accompanying drawing for a more detailed understanding of my invention, the container of a vapor converter of the metal-case type is shown at l and is provided with suitable anodes 2-2 and with a cathode 3, as is usual in theart'. A sleeve 4, preferably constructed of non-magnetizable conducting material such, for example, as copper, projects through the cover of the container 1 and is insulated therefrom by a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15', 1917.

1915, Serial No. 60,000. Renewed October 21, 1916. Serial No. 127,039.

a downwardly extending conducting member carrying a keep-alive electrode 11 at the lower end thereof The cathode 3 is preferably provided with a keep-alive grid 11 conductlvely connected to the keep-alive electrode 11,-as is set forth in a copending application of S. W. Farnsworth, Serial N 0. 39,796, filed July 14, 1915, and assigned to the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company. The armature 9 also carries an upwardly extending member 12 adapted to make contact with a sealing cap 13 when sufficiently raised. The lower edge of the sealing cap 13 is disposed in operative relation toa pool of readily fusible solid material 14, as set forth in the above-mentioned application of E. E. Rose. A suitablemeans, such as a gas burner 15, is provided for the fusion of the material 14. A shield 16 of insulating material for port is suitably perforated, as shown at 17, and, in like manner, the armature 9 is perforated, as shown at 18, to provide a free gas passage from the interior of the container 1 to an exhaust line connected above the cap 13. Current may be supplied to the keep-alive electrode by any suitable means, such, for example, structure of the valve through a suitable switch 19. I

Having thus described the structure of my invention, the operation is as follows: With the parts a's'shown, the pool 14 is in a solid state, and a free gas passage is provided from the interior of the container 1 through suitable notches in the loweredge of the cap 13 to the pump. If it be desired to close the gas passage, the pool 14 is first fused by the heating device 15, whereupon the heating cap 13 sinks thereinto until the exhausting notches are submerged. The removal of the device 15 now permits the solidification of the pool 14:, resulting in a tight and effective seal. The converter may be started into operation by the application of alternating current to the main electrodes in the usual manner and by the closure of switches .8 and 19, whereupon'the solenoid the keep-alive sup-v as by a connection to the- 6 is energized, the armature 9 drawn up- 0 wardly and the keep-alive electrode 11 withdrawn from the cathode 3, initiating akeepalive are which immediately transfers itself movement of the keep-alive electrode 11' having no effect uponthe' keep-alive are operating from the cathode grid. When the cap 13 is lifted free of the pool 14, the heating source 15 may be removed and the cap 13 permitted to rest upon the surface of'the solldified pool 14, whereupon exhaustion may take place through the notches in the lower edge of the cap 13.

While I have shown and described my invention in its preferred form, it will be obvious to-tho'se skilled in the art that it is susceptible of various minor changes and modifications Without departing from the spirlt thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my inventlon: 1. In electric apparatus embodying a closed container, thecombination with said container, of an exhausting tube leading therefrom, a valve for closing saidtube, a

movable electrode within said container, and

a common actuating means for said valve and said electrode.

2. In electric apparatus embodying aclosed container, the combination with said container, of an exhausting tube leading therefrom, a valve for closing said tube, an auxiliary starting and maintaining electrode within said container, and a common actuating means for said. valve and said electrode.

closed container, the combination w th said 'container, of an exhausting tube leading therefrom, avalvefor closing said tube, a

movable electrode within said container, an.

armature within said tube, a solenoid ex- 3. In electric apparatus embodying a.

terior to said tube and operatively associated with said armature, and connections from said armature to said electrode. and to 'the moving portions of said valve, whereby closed container, the combination with said container, of a vertically disposed exhausting tube extending therefrom and terminating in an open end, a casing surrounding. said open end and forming an annulartrough therearound, amass of sealing material 1n said trough, a ca surmounting said tube and having its 'ower edge extending into proximity to said sealing material, a movable electrode within said container, a movable armature within said tube, magnetic operating means therefor exterior to said tube, and connections whereby the movement of said armature actuates said cap-to move the lower edge thereof into and out of said sealing material and also actuates 4 said electrode.

In electric apparatus embodying a container, of a vertically disposed exhaust- I ing tube extendin therefrom and terminat- 1ng in an open en ,a casing surrounding said open end and forming an annular trough therearou'nd, a mass ofsealing material in said trough, a cap surmount-ing said tube and having its lower edge extendinginto proximity to said sealing material, a movable electrode within said container, a movable armature within, said tube, magnetic operating means therefor exterior to said tube, and connections whereby the movement of said armature actuates saidcap to move the lower edge thereof into and out of said sealing material and also actuates said electrode, the connection to saidcap embodying, a loose coupling whereby said electrode may be actuated without operation of said valve. I I

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my 1915.

EARL/E. EBY.

name this 27th day of Oct, 

